Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) is congratulated by teammate center Tyler Seguin (91) after Benn scored a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Dallas, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin (91) looks on as forward Jamie Benn (14) celebrates scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Cam Ward (30) defends the goal against Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) and left wing Jamie Benn (14) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn, right, celebrates his goal with Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) is congratulated by teammate center Tyler Seguin (91) after Benn scored a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Dallas, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Stars' Tyler Seguin (91) looks to pass as St. Louis Blues' Alex Pietrangelo (27) watches during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in St. Louis. The Stars won 3-1. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin leads the league in combined shots off the crossbar and post. He’s taken public abuse from his team’s CEO. And he wasn’t selected to the NHL All-Star Game for the first time in five seasons.

All that seems to be fueling him toward a midseason resurgence. After a challenging start to the season, Seguin is thriving and the Stars are looking to make a push in the Central Division.

“(I want to) keep going,” Seguin said after scoring three points in a 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. “Not think about it. Keep playing with that confidence and that fire.”

Seguin wasn’t awful at the beginning of the season, but it certainly wasn’t the start the Stars were hoping for after giving him an eight-year, $78.8 million contract extension in September. The 26-year-old had 32 points in 38 games when team CEO Jim Lites decided to take action Dec. 28.

Lites used expletives to describe Seguin’s and captain Jamie Benn’s play and said owner Tom Gaglardi also was frustrated. Lites requested the interviews and went out of his way to criticize two of his best players in public.

The next day Seguin said he had “no response,” while Benn said of Lites: “I don’t play for him.” But coach Jim Montgomery hoped both players would improve in the aftermath of the public shaming.

“Top players, when they face adversity like this, usually have a really good response,” Montgomery said Dec. 29. “That’s what I expect from them.”

That’s just what Seguin has delivered, though his six posts and five crossbars hit show he might have been due for a little puck luck anyway. But in the first seven games since Lites’ comments, he’s scored 11 points and the Stars are 4-2-1.

He’s looked like the Seguin the Stars need if they’re going to make the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, even if Benn is still lagging behind. Benn scored three points in his first six games since being roasted and missed a game Jan. 4 with an upper-body injury.

“I knew things were going to start going in,” Seguin said Tuesday. “I just didn’t know when. I just wanted to keep shooting, and right now they’re going in.”

The saga of Sergei Bobrovsky

It’s been an interesting week for the Columbus Blue Jackets and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

The two-time Vezina Trophy (NHL’s best goalie) winner wasn’t with the team for a game against the Nashville Predators on Thursday because of an undisclosed incident.

“There are certain expectations and values that we have established for our players that define our culture,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “An incident occurred in which Sergei failed to meet those expectations and values.”

Bobrovsky was back with the Blue Jackets on Friday, but it was a bizarre occurrence for a team in third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Birds of a different feather

Friday’s game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks gave an interesting window into the state of both teams.

The Penguins rallied from a three-goal deficit to win 7-4 in Anaheim and continued to soar toward first place in the Metropolitan with their sixth straight road victory. The Ducks collapsed and fell to 0-7-3 in their past 10 games, which puts plenty of pressure on coach Randy Carlyle.

The Vegas Golden Knights have announced that Kelly McCrimmon has been promoted to General Manager of the team, effective September 1, 2019. Regarding his new role, McCrimmon will represent the Golden Knights at the NHL's General Managers Meetings and will be the point of contact for other league GMs.

Golden Knights Say an "Awful Call" Cost Them the Series - Video

Golden Knights head coach Gerard Gallant and Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault believe that an "awful call" by the officials cost them game 7.

Golden Knights Fans Watch Game 7 at T-Mobile - VIDEO

Golden Knights went through a roller coaster in game 7 which lead to the Knights loss 5-4 in overtime.

Sharks & Golden Knights fans fired up for Game 7

Ahead of Game 7 in San Jose, Sharks and Golden Knights fans get hyped for the game in the fan zone at SAP Center.

Golden Knights prepare for Game 7 in San Jose - VIDEO

Vegas Golden Knigths players and the head coach talk about their mindset ahead of facing the San Jose Sharks in Game 7 on the road at the SAP Center.

Knights' Gallant Calls DeBoer a "clown" - VIDEO

Golden Knights head coach Gerard Gallant calls Sharks coach Pete DeBoer a "clown" and says his comments are a little "unclassy" for him in response to being called the master chirper for the Knights.

Golden Knights fans father outside T-Mobile Arena waiting for game 6 against the Sharks

Golden Knights gather outside the T-Mobile Arena ready to watch game 6 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the San Jose Sharks.

Knights aim to close out Sharks series at home - VIDEO

The Vegas Golden Knights players and head coach Gerard Gallant spoke about what needs to be done ahead of Game 6 at the T-Mobile Arena to clinch the series. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Gerard Gallant talks ahead of Game 6

The Golden Knights coach talked about his team’s upcoming game with the San Jose Sharks after Saturday’s practice.

Coach Gallant Speaks to media about game 5 against the Sharks - VIDEO

Golden Knight's coach Gerard Gallant speaks at City National Arena following thursday's game 5 against the San Jose Sharks.

Golden Knights Fans Watch Game 5 At Henderson Pavilion - Video

Golden Knights fans gather at the Henderson Pavilion to watch game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the San Jose Sharks. (Nathan Asselin/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Fans prepare for Game 5 of the Golden Knights-Sharks series

Golden Knights and Sharks fans took part in pregame festivities at the SAP Center in San Jose ahead of Game 5 of the playoff series.

Golden Knights Fans Land in San Jose - VIDEO

Four Golden Knights fans who traveled from Las Vegas talk about the experiences they've had in San Jose with fans and the police ahead of Game 5 and give their predictions for the final score of the game.

Shea Theodore says he's trying to be a threat in all phases - VIDEO

Vegas Golden Knights Defenseman Shea Theodore says he's trying to elevate his game in all phases and his teammate Alex Tuch talks about Theodore's growth as a player.

Knights preparing to play a "desperate" Sharks team on the road

The Vegas Golden Knights could close out their first playoff series on the road against the San Jose Sharks when Game 5 takes place at the SAP Center. The team says they're going to have to play their best to defeat a "desperate" opponent.

Coach Gallant speaks after practice, as the Golden Knights prep for Game 5

Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant speaks to media after the team's open skate.

Sharks Coach: I think our emotions got away from us a little bit

Sharks head coach Pete DeBoer and center Joe Pavelski say the team needs to hold their emotions in check going forward. Pavelski talks about the Ryan Reaves effect.

2019 NHL Awards set for Mandalay Bay Events Center on June 19

During the 2018 NHL Awards in Las Vegas, tribute was paid to first responders and survivors of the Oct. 1 shooting by a handful of Vegas Golden Knights. NHL Chief Content Officer Steve Mayer said that's why the league is moving the show to the site of the tragedy. The Mandalay Bay Events Center will host the ceremony on June 19th.

Ryan Reaves says Joe Thornton's Hit was "Gutless" - Video

Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves says Sharks' forward Joe Thornton's hit on Tomas Nosek was "gutless." Thornton has been suspended for one game (game four on Tues., April 16) as a result of the hit.

Ryan Reaves Finally Throws Down with San Jose's Evander Kane - Video

Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves says the fight between him and Sharks' forward Evander Kane was nine years in the making. Spectators finally saw the two battle it out in game three of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Ryan Reaves Finally Throws Down with San Jose's Evander Kane - Video

Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves says the fight between him and Sharks' forward Evander Kane was nine years in the making. Spectators finally saw the two battle it out in game three of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Marc-Andre Fleury's newborn son and his wife Veronique were in attendance at the T-Mobile Arena during game 3. Fleury talks about having his family there to support him.

Sharks and Knights players get physical during game 3 - VIDEO

Several fights broke out during game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Golden Knights and Sharks. Capping off the skirmishes was an intense showdown between Ryan Reaves and Evander Kane.

Golden Knights Fans Gather At T-mobile To Watch Game 3 Of The Playoffs - Video

Golden Knights fans gather outside of the T-Mobile arena to watch game three of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Knights GM says it was important for the team to sign Nikita Gusev

Vegas Golden Knights general manager George McPhee says it was important for the team to sign Russian standout Nikita Gusev. The Knights announced they had signed the forward to a one-year, entry level contract on Sunday. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Marc-André Fleury on flamingo

Marc-André Fleury on flamingo

Golden Knights Watch Party For Game 2 Of Sharks Series - Video

Golden Knights fans gather at Top Golf to watch the second game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the San Jose Sharks.

Gallant addresses the media after practice following a 5-2 loss

Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant addresses the media after practice following a 5-2 loss to San Jose in Game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. (Ben Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant on lineup against the San Jose Sharks for Game 1 of the first round in the Stanley Cup playoffs. (David Schoen/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Golden Knights Prepare for Playoffs - Video

Golden Knights players Shea Theodore and Jonathan Marchessault feel that the team is both mentally and physically prepared to take on the Sharks in round one of the NHL Playoffs.

Golden Knights sign defenseman Jimmy Schuldt to a one-year contract

The Golden Knights have signed free agent defenseman Jimmy Schuldt to a one-year, entry level contract. Schuldt comes to the Golden Knights after graduating from St. Cloud State University, where he lead the Huskies to a regular-season conference title and the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Golden Knights letting playoff mentality set in - VIDEO

As the Vegas Golden Knights finish out their season, the team and head coach Gerard Gallant talk about where their mindset is, how they are preparing for the playoffs and their win over the Edmonton Oilers.

Golden Knights Lose to Wild, Clinch Playoff Berth - VIDEO

Despite losing 3-2 to the Minnesota Wild, the Vegas Golden Knights are locked in to a playoff spot. Head coach Gerard Gallant and players discuss their performance against the Wild and what it means to go back to the playoffs.

The Golden Knights’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, tied the Calder Cup Conference Final at two games apiece after defeating San Diego 2-1 in double overtime on Friday night in San Diego.